OVERVIEW

Concepts of general botany (histology, organography, reproduction, notes about taxonomy) for the understanding of herbal drug descriptions found in the various pharmacopoeias are provided. The main plant taxa of pharmaceutical interest are described, following a systematic approach.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Aim of the course is to provide basic information for the knowledge and identification of the main botanical sources of plant drugs used in pharmacy and the understanding of the monographs related to medicinal plants found in the various pharmacopoeias.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Know the main taxa of pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic interest.

Apply the acquired knowledge to the identification and description of pharmaceutical drugs.

Understand monographs relating to medicinal plants found in various pharmacopoeias.

PREREQUISITES

The student must possess the basic knowledge of plant biology.

TEACHING METHODS

The Team-Based Learning methodology is applied. Illustrated teaching materials (slides) are provided to students at the beginning of the lessons through Aulaweb. Students are encouraged to download the materials from the start of the course, so they have a reference during the lessons for adding notes, comments, etc. Non-graded learning assessments are included, along with two graded interim tests.

Any Student with documented Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), or with any special needs, shall reach out to the Lecturer(s) and to the dedicated SLD Representative in the Department ( Prof. Luca Raiteri, Luca.Raiteri@unige.it ), in order to in order to liaise and arrange the specific learning methods and ensure proper achievement of the learning aims and outcomes. VERY IMPORTANT: any request for compensatory tools and adaptations in the interim tests MUST be done within 10 working days before the date of the interim test according to the instructions that can be found at https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/comunicazioni

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

a. Characterization and description of plant species: definition of medicinal plant and Pharmaceutical Botany. Scientific nomenclature. Traditional and Virtual Herbarium.

b. Systematics, taxonomy, species identification: A brief history of systematics (classification based on the usefulness and artificial, natural, phylogenetic classifications). Concept of species and hybrid. Definitions of classification, systematic and taxonomy. Identification or recognition of a species: the analytical keys.

c. Histology: meristems and definitive tissue (dermal, ground, mechanical, conducting and secretory tissues).

d. Organography: thallophytes and cormophytes. Structure of the corm: root (primary and secondary structure); stem (primary and secondary structure); leaf; flower and inflorescence; fruit.

e. Reproduction: Notes on reproduction (asexual and sexual) and metagenetic cycles in plants. Examples of cycles in algae, mushrooms, bryophytes, pteridophytes, gymnosperms and angiosperms.

f. The taxa of medicinal interest

- Algae: general information and main taxa of medicinal interest.

- Fungi: General information and main taxa of medicinal interest.

- Lichens: General information and main taxa of medicinal interest.

- Ppteridophytes: General information and main taxa of medicinal interest.

- Gymnosperms: General information. Main taxa of medicinal interest of the following families: Ginkgoaceae, Pinaceae, Cupressaceae, Taxaceae, Ephedraceae.

-Angiosperms 1. Magnoliopsida o Dicotyledones. General information. Main taxa of medicinal interest of the following families: Fagaceae, Betulaceae, Salicaceae, Juglandaceae, Moraceae, Cannabaceae, Urticaceae, Santalaceae, Viscaceae, Polygonaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Cactaceae, Euphorbiaceae Hamamelidaceae, Myristicaceae, Illiciaceae, Monimiaceae, Lauraceae, Menispermaceae, Ranunculaceae, Berberidaceae, Papaveraceae, Brassicaceae, Caricaceae, Theaceae, Rosaceae, Fabaceae, Myrtaceae, Lythraceae, Punicaceae, Araliaceae, Apiaceae, Tiliaceae, Malvaceae, Sterculiaceae, Linaceae, Zygophyllaceae, Erythroxylaceae, Rutaceae, Burseraceae, Polygalaceae, Sapindaceae, Hippocastanaceae, Celastraceae, Aquifoliaceae, Rhamnaceae, Vitaceae, Piperaceae, Ericaceae, Primulaceae, Sapotaceae, Styracaceae, Oleaceae, Loganiaceae, Gentianaceae, Apocynaceae, Rubiaceae, Convolvulaceae, Lamiaceae, Solanaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Pedaliaceae, Plantaginaceae, Caprifoliaceae, Valerianaceae, Campanulaceae, Asteraceae, Cucurbitaceae.

-Angiosperms 2. Liliopsida o Monocotyledones. General information. Main taxa of medicinal interest of the following families: Alliaceae, Asparagaceae, Colchicaceae, Liliaceae, Convallariaceae, Asphodelaceae, Ruscaceae, Iridaceae, Agavaceae, Dioscoreaceae, Bromeliaceae, Poaceae, Arecaceae, Araceae Zingiberaceae, Orchidaceae.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Maugini E., Maleci Bini L., Mariotti Lippi M. 2006. Manuale di Botanica Farmaceutica. Padova: Piccin.

Speranza A., Calzoni G.L. 2001. Struttura delle piante in immagini. Bologna: Zanichelli.

Bruni A., Nicoletti M. 2003. Dizionario Ragionato di Erboristeria e Fitoterapia. Padova: Piccin.

Senatore F. 2012. Biologia e Botanica Farmaceutica. Padova: Piccin.

Pignatti S. 2002. Flora d’Italia Bologna: Edagricole.

Gastaldo P. 1987. Compendio della Flora Officinale Italiana. Padova: Piccin.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The first possible date after the beginning of the course of study.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam takes place in person in a dedicated classroom. Each student has access to a personal computer, through which they access the exam session via “Aulaweb exams” The exam consists of a quiz covering all the topics listed in the file available on Aulaweb titled “SCHEDA insegnamento Botanica Farmaceutica”.

The quiz comprises 15 questions. For each correct answer, 1 to 4 points, or fractions thereof, are awarded, up to a maximum of 30 points. Students can make only one attempt to complete the quiz and have a total of 16 minutes from the moment they click the AVVIA IL TENTATIVO button. The questions are presented sequentially, and it is not possible to leave questions unanswered (once you move to the next question, you cannot go back). To complete the exam, students must click the TERMINA IL TENTATIVO button and then the INVIA TUTTO E TERMINA button at the bottom before the maximum time expires.

The exam is considered passed only if a score of ≥18 is achieved.

The possibility of rescheduling the exam is given only in absolutely exceptional cases and is discussed on the same day of the exam with the commission.

Any Student with documented Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), or with any special needs, shall reach out to the Lecturer(s) and to the dedicated SLD Representative in the Department ( Prof. Luca Raiteri, Luca.Raiteri@unige.it ), in order to benefit from the additional time required by current legislation. VERY IMPORTANT: any request for compensatory tools and adaptations in the exam MUST be done within 10 working days before the date of the exam according to the instructions that can be found at https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/comunicazioni

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Correctness of the answer to quiz questions. Total score resulting from the sum of the partial scores.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Ask the professor for other information not included in the teaching schedule.